The winter cold does not prevent beautiful astronomical observations from being made. Here are what phenomena can easily be observed in France in February 2024.
The year 2024 has started under the stars, observations continue in February. In this guide, you will only find astronomical phenomena accessible to everyone, with the naked eye, observable even if you are just starting out in astronomy.
To take astronomy to the next level, check out our guide to glasses and telescopes.
Here are the astronomical shows that February 2024 has in store for us, with their observation times.
The phases of the Moon
Have Japan’s recent adventures on the Moon made you want to observe the star more? It is an excellent idea. The Moon, which is the brightest star in the night sky, is fascinating. Each month, it goes through several phases, depending on its sunshine.
- THE Saturday February 3 corresponds to the last quarter of the Moon. We then observe a half-Moon, only illuminated by the Sun on its western half.
- THE Saturday February 10, it is the phase of the new Moon. No need to attempt its observation, the Moon is then in conjunction with the Sun. We therefore cannot see it in the sky.
- THE Friday February 16, the half-moon is back. The star is this time in the first quarter phase, its eastern half is sunny and is therefore observable.
- Finally, the Saturday February 24, it’s a full moon. Its entire face visible from the Earth is illuminated, because the Moon is in opposition to the Sun.
Planets visible to the naked eye
In February 2024, bright Venus and Jupiter are the queen planets of the sky. Saturn is visible to the naked eye until the middle of the month. Here are the times and in which constellations to find them.
| Venus | Jupiter | Saturn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From 1st to 4 | 7 a.m. – 8:20 a.m. Sagittarius | 5:40 p.m. – 1:10 a.m. Ram | 6 p.m. – 7:20 p.m. Aquarius |
| From 5 to 11 | 7:10 a.m. – 8:10 a.m. Sagittarius | 5:50 p.m. – 12:40 a.m. Ram | 6:10 p.m. – 6:50 p.m. Aquarius |
| From 12 to 18 | 7:10 a.m. – 7:50 a.m. Sagittarius | 6 p.m. – 12:20 a.m. Ram | invisible |
| From 19 to 25 | 7:10 a.m. – 7:40 a.m. Capricorn | 6:20 p.m. – 12 a.m. Ram | invisible |
| From 26 to 29 | 7:10 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. Capricorn | 6:30 p.m. – 11:40 p.m. Ram | invisible |
Other astronomical phenomena
Here are the other phenomena you absolutely must see in February 2024, accessible even to beginners:
- THE Tuesday February 6just before sunrise, Venus and the Moon are at the same height in the sky.
- The evening of Monday February 12the ashen light — an Earth light occurring just before or just after the new Moon — is to be observed.
- THE Wednesday February 14charm your Valentine by showing him the conjunction between Jupiter and the crescent Moon.
- The day after, Wednesday February 15the conjunction is still there, the Moon has simply moved to the east of Jupiter.
- THE Friday February 16, the Moon neighborhood passes under a cluster of stars, the Pleiades. If you have binoculars, now is the time to use them to see the show.
- This year there is a Thursday February 29 in the calendar, it’s a leap year! There is nothing special to observe. However, this particularity has an astronomical explanation, because it is directly linked to the movement of the Earth.
It’s time to let yourself contemplate the sky! Good astronomical observations.
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